Just like God, Holy Spirit has existed through all eternity. In the Old Testament, He is referred to as the Spirit of God. In the New Testament, he is sometimes called the Spirit of Christ.
It is important to note that Holy Spirit first appeared in the second verse of the Bible, (Genesis chapter one) in the account of creation.
Here is what it says; “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:2).
Jesus referring to Holy Spirit said this in the New Testament
John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (NIV)
There are many misconceptions about the identity of the Holy Spirit today. Some view Holy Spirit as a mystical force. Others understand the Holy Spirit as the impersonal power that God makes available to the followers of Christ. BUT… What does the Bible say about the person of the Holy Spirit?
The Bible tells us that Holy Spirit is a divine person, with a mind, will, and emotions. He is the third Person of the Trinity. The Trinity is made up of 3 distinct persons: God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. As a member of the Godhead, Holy Spirit had no beginning and has no ending just as the Father and Son. Holy Spirit dwells in Heaven as well as here on Earth in the heart of believers.
He is a perfectly holy and spotless God, free of any sin or darkness. He shares the strengths of God the Father and Jesus, such as omniscience, omnipotence, and eternality. Just like our Heavenly Father, He is all-loving, forgiving, merciful and just.
Bible references about Holy Spirit representing the TRINITY
Matthew 3:16-17
As soon as Jesus (the Son) was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven (the Father) said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (NIV)
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (NIV)
2 Corinthians 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (NIV)
Acts 2:32-33
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. (NIV)
Is there a difference between Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit?
Until a few decades ago, both Catholic and Protestant churches used the title Holy Ghost. The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, first published in 1611, uses the term Holy Ghost, but every other modern translation, including the New King James Version, uses Holy Spirit. Some Pentecostal denominations which use the KJV still speak of the Holy Ghost.
Holy Spirit is as active on the earth today as He was at creation – How?
- Holy Spirit caused the Virgin Mary to conceive (Matthew 1:20)
- At the baptism of Jesus, he descended on Jesus like a dove. (Matthew 3:13-17)
- On the Day of Pentecost, he rested like tongues of fire on the apostles. (Acts 2:4)
- Jesus breathed on his apostles after his resurrection and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22, NIV).
- He also commanded his followers to baptize people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16,17, KJV)
Summary of the main divine works of the Holy Spirit on the earth today
- He helps to advance God plan of salvation in the earth.
- He participated in creation with the Father and Son,
- He filled the prophets with the Word of God,
- He assisted Jesus and the apostles in their missions,
- He inspired the men who wrote the Bible,
- He guides the church, and
- He sanctifies believers in their walk with Christ today.
